Elizabeth Ross Johnson Theater, New Brunswick PAC. Orchestra Left (Seat G5, $12.50).
Story. See prior posts.
Conductor - Steven White; Rodolfo - Siyuan Yin, Mimi - Manli Deng, Marcello - Chris Fistonich, Musetta - Yeawon Jun, Schaunard - Carl Muhler, Colline - Ziliang Hao.
Having attended a couple of events at NBPAC, I am on their mailing list. This event looked quite interesting, and at $10 a ticket (for seniors, with a $5 per order processing fee), what can go wrong?
Indeed it was a most enjoyable concert. I expected enthusiasm, and perhaps stage fright, but didn't expect how well the opera was performed.
Perhaps it was the intimacy of a small theater (seating less than 400 people), the voices sounded great. At first many singers' voices came across as harsh - particularly that of Mimi - but they grew on the audience.
The orchestra (Rutgers Symphony) also was up to the task. I couldn't see the pit, and suspected a keyboard was used to produce some of the sounds. It did on occasion overshadow some of the softer vocal lines.
The set was simple, perhaps out of necessity. The different scenes have backdrops projected onto panels.
After Act II.
Curtain call (from left): Marcello, Musetta, Rodolfo, White (conductor), Spierman (Stage diector), Mimi, Schaunard, and Marcello.
I do wonder how much effort was spent to put this together. All involved have every reason to be proud.
The question still remains, though. Why is Lucia called Mimi?
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